A clearer path through the unexpected: Anne Herbst's Aortic Aneurysm journey
When Anne Herbst learned she had an ascending aortic aneurysm, the diagnosis came as a shock.
An active 47-year-old Colorado woman who loves hiking, biking and pushing herself outdoors, Anne did not fit the profile she imagined for someone facing serious aortic disease. Like many patients, her condition was discovered incidentally during cardiac testing ordered for another concern. That is one reason aortic disease can feel so overwhelming. It is often silent until it becomes dangerous.
For patients like Anne, expert guidance matters.
At HCA HealthONE Swedish, patients have access to a connected cardiovascular network that includes experienced specialists across the HCA HealthONE system. Anne’s care included consultation with Dr. Jason Shofnos of HCA HealthONE Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Specialists, whose clinic is part of the greater HCA HealthONE system.
After reviewing her imaging and clinical picture, Dr. Shofnos helped explain what the diagnosis meant, when surgery may be appropriate and why timing matters. “A planned surgery has good success rates, and in particular with this type of aneurysm that just involves the ascending aorta, it is a relatively quick surgery with not a lot of time on the heart-lung machine,” Dr. Shofnos said. “People do quite well and can expect a completely normal lifespan after that with really very limited, if any, restrictions on their activities.”
That distinction is critical.
Emergency aortic events such as dissection or rupture are far more dangerous and more difficult to treat. Planned surgery, by contrast, gives the care team time to evaluate the anatomy, prepare the patient thoroughly and operate under controlled conditions. For appropriate candidates, elective repair offers the best opportunity for a successful outcome.
Anne’s experience also reflects something clinicians see every day: not every patient with aortic disease fits a standard mold. Some are younger. Some are highly active. Some have no obvious family history or classic risk factors. That is why individualized care is so important.
As Anne put it, “I’m a middle-aged woman, who loves her job, and feels and acts like a 25-year-old kid.” Like many patients, she was trying to make sense of a diagnosis that did not match how she saw herself or how she lived.
For Anne, the right course was not immediate surgery. It was expert monitoring, repeat imaging and a care plan built around her specific condition.
After additional imaging provided a more precise measurement, her care team determined that surgery could safely wait while her aneurysm continued to be monitored closely. That decision spared her from undergoing an operation too soon while keeping her connected to specialists prepared to act when the timing is right.
That kind of disciplined, patient-centered decision-making is part of high-quality aortic care.
Dr. Shofnos emphasizes that aortic disease is often manageable when it is identified and followed carefully. “I look at aortic disease as a manageable problem,” he said. “It can be managed safely and conservatively and intervened on, hopefully electively, before it becomes a problem.”
For others facing a similar diagnosis, Anne’s story offers reassurance. Early detection creates options. Repeat, high-quality imaging matters. Not every aneurysm requires immediate surgery. And when surgery is needed, having an experienced surgical team in place can make all the difference.
Anne’s perspective also reflects the power of finally having answers. “Even though I'm scared sometimes, I experienced so much love, support, and gratitude this year – thankfulness for knowing what my diagnosis is because we can track it,” she wrote. “And fight it. And fix it.”
Most importantly, her story shows that an aortic aneurysm diagnosis does not have to end an active, meaningful life. With education, monitoring and expert care, patients can move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
If you have questions about aortic aneurysm care or want to explore your treatment options, schedule an appointment with Jason Shofnos, MD, with HCA HealthONE Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Specialists.
Want to hear more about Anne’s experience? Read her full 9NEWS story for a firsthand look at how expert care, education and close follow-up helped her navigate an unexpected diagnosis.
Schedule an appointment with Jason Shofnos.